Retention mechanism for a wearable terminal

ABSTRACT

Described is a retention mechanism for a mobile terminal. The retention mechanism comprises a frame configured to receive the mobile terminal, where the frame includes channels. The retention mechanism also comprises a release lever configured to receive a wearable accessory, where the release lever includes rails. The frame is one of releasably and permanently coupled to the release lever by inserting the channels of the frame in the rails of the release lever.

BACKGROUND

Conventional mobile terminals are used in a variety of environments. In certain situations, it is advantageous to have the mobile terminals worn on an area of the body. Conventional technology allows mobile terminals to be worn using straps, clips, etc. In other situations, it is also advantageous to be able to attach and/or remove the mobile terminal at will from the wearable accessory. However, sometimes, conventional technology does not allow a user to easily attach and/or remove the mobile terminal from the wearable accessory. Often, a user is required to remove both the mobile terminal with the wearable accessory which is more time consuming and requires more effort or requires the use of both hands to attach and/or remove the mobile terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a retention mechanism for a mobile terminal. The retention mechanism comprises a frame configured to receive the mobile terminal, where the frame includes channels. The retention mechanism also comprises a release lever configured to receive a wearable accessory, where the release lever includes rails. The frame is one of releasably and permanently coupled to the release lever by inserting the channels of the frame in the rails of the release lever.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a top side of a retention mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a bottom side of the retention mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the retention mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary coupling of a release lever of the retention mechanism of FIG. 1 attached to a wearable accessory according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary use of the retention mechanism of FIG. 1 where a frame is attached to a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary assembly of the retention mechanism with the mobile terminal of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention describes a retention mechanism with rails and couplers for use with mobile terminals and wearable accessories. In particular, the exemplary embodiment of the retention mechanism is designed to be coupled, in a fist instance, to a wearable accessory (an accessory that is worn on the body or clothing, e.g., a wrist, a belt, etc.). In a second instance, the retention mechanism is coupled to a mobile terminal (e.g., a mobile computing device, a PDA, a scanner, etc.). Thus, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an arrangement to attach a mobile terminal to a wearable accessory allowing a user to carry and/or operate the mobile terminal while attached to the wearable accessory. In addition, the exemplary embodiment of the retention mechanism also allows the user to detach or de-couple the mobile terminal from the wearable accessory. The rails and couplers will be discussed in detail below.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a top side of a retention mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The retention mechanism includes two main components, a release lever 100 and a terminal-side frame 200. The assembly of the release lever 100 and the terminal-side frame 200 will be discussed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

In the exemplary embodiment, the release lever 100 is the component of the retention mechanism that is coupled to the wearable accessory. The coupling will be discussed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4. The shape of the release lever 100 is illustrated as a U-shape. The release lever 100 comprises a middle section (MS) 105, a left tine section (LTS) 110, and a right tine section (RTS) 115. The LTS 110 is connected to the MS 105 via a bending zone 120. The RTS 115 is connected to the MS 105 via a bending zone 125. The bending zones 120, 125 and their operation will be described in greater detail below. The MS 105 includes a release lever tab (hereinafter “tab”) 130 and release lever male couplers (hereinafter “male couplers”) 135. The LTS 110 contains a rail 140 and attachment points (AP) 150. The RTS 115 contains a rail 145 and APs 155. It should be noted that the U-shape is only exemplary and other designs are possible. In the exemplary embodiment, the release lever 100 is manufactured with a U-shape sheet metal with plastic molded around a substantial majority of the surface area of the sheet metal. Rubber is molded onto the areas of the sheet metal without the plastic mold. The structure of the release lever 100 will be discussed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3.

In the exemplary embodiment, the terminal-side frame (hereinafter “frame”) 200 is the component of the retention mechanism that is coupled to the mobile terminal. The coupling will be discussed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5. The shape of the frame 200 is illustrated as a substantially rectangular piece with a window. The frame 200 comprises sides 205-220. The side 205 contains connection points (CP) 225. The sides 210, 215 contain channels 235, 240, respectively. The side 220 contains CPs 230. It should be noted that the use of a rectangular shape is only exemplary and other designs are possible. For example, in another exemplary embodiment, the frame 200 may exhibit a trapezoidal shape with a window. The trapezoidal shape may allow for easier sliding of the rails 140, 145 to enter the channels 235, 240, respectively. Those skilled in the art will understand that the shapes of the release lever 100 and the frame 200 are dependent on each other.

The tab 130 of the release lever 100 may be utilized by the user to release the mobile terminal and frame 200 from the release lever 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the tab 130 is extended at the middle of the MS 105 of the release lever 100. The release lever tab 130 may be manufactured using, for example, plastic, rubber, etc. As discussed above, a section of the sheet metal would run within the tab 130. The tab 130 may be pushed to release the mobile terminal from the wearable accessory. The mechanism for releasing the mobile terminal will be described in greater detail below. In the exemplary embodiment, the tab 130 exhibits a flattened U-shape. The tab 130 may also contain gripping points to increase a coefficient of friction when a finger is applied to the tab 130. However, it should be noted that the flattened U-shape of the tab 130 is only exemplary and the tab 130 may be any shape, for example, a straight extension. In another exemplary embodiment, the releasing function of the tab 130 may be an indentation for a finger to be inserted. In the exemplary embodiment, the tab 130 occupies approximately half the length of the MS 105. However, it should be noted that the tab 130 may extend the entire length of the MS 105 or a shorter length that may depend on the positions of the male couplers 135.

The male couplers 135 are retention units of the release lever 100. The male couplers 135 extend out of the top side of the MS 105 of the release lever 100. The amount of extension may be dependent on the mass and/or size of the mobile terminal to which the terminal-side frame 200 is mounted. For example, a light-weight mobile terminal may only require the male couplers 135 to extend a relatively small amount whereas a heavy weight mobile terminal may require the male couplers 135 to extend more, such as twice the light-weight length. In the exemplary embodiment, the male couplers 135 are designed to exhibit a substantially cylindrical shape. However, it should be noted that the cylindrical shape is only exemplary and that other shapes may be used (e.g., blocks, conical). It should also be noted that the use of the male couplers 135 is only exemplary. For example, the release lever 100 may include affixing mechanisms to permanently attach the release lever 100 to the frame 200. Thus, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention embodies both a detachable assembly and a permanent assembly.

The male couplers 135 may be manufactured using plastic. However, it should be noted that the use of plastic is only exemplary and that other materials may be used (e.g., rubber). The male couplers 135 are inserted in counterpart female couplers (not shown) which are located on the mobile terminal itself. The female couplers are reception ports (i.e., holes). The female couplers may be located, for example, within a frame of the mobile terminal or a unit that houses the female couplers which is affixed to the mobile terminal. The coupling of the male couplers 135 to the corresponding female couplers will be described in greater detail below. In another exemplary embodiment, the male couplers 135 may comprise a rubber exterior capped over a plastic interior.

The male couplers 135 are located on the top side and towards the ends of the MS 105. In the exemplary embodiment, the male couplers 135 lie on a line that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the MS 105. In the exemplary embodiment, the male couplers are also equidistant from a center of the MS 105. However, it should be noted that the positions of the male couplers 105 according to the exemplary embodiment is only exemplary. For example, the male couplers 135 may not be equidistant from the center of the MS 105 or the male couplers may not be aligned in a line that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the MS 105. Such embodiments may be helpful if the mobile terminal has a side that is heavier than the other.

It should be noted that the use of the male couplers 135 located on the MS 105 is only exemplary. Those skilled in the art will understand that the female couplers may be located on the MS 105 of the release lever 100 while the male couplers 135 may be located on the mobile terminal. Functioning similarly to the exemplary embodiment described above, the female couplers may be, for example, holes that receive the male couplers 135 that may be, for example, the extensions described above. The locations of the female couplers on the MS 105 may be similar to the locations of the male couplers 135 of the above described exemplary embodiment.

It should also be noted that the use of the female couplers located on the mobile terminal is only exemplary. Those skilled in the art will understand that the female couplers may be located on the frame 200. The frame 200 may be designed to widen and lengthen the side 205 in order to house the female couplers. This exemplary embodiment allows the mobile terminal to maintain its structure aside from attaching the frame 200 to the mobile terminal. The female couplers would be located on a corresponding location on the side 205 of the frame 200 to receive the male couplers 135 located on the MS 105 of the release lever 100.

The rails 140, 145 are insertion units of the release lever 100. The rails 140, 145 slide into the channels 235, 240, respectively, which will be described in more detail below. The rails 140, 145 are located on an inner side (i.e., towards the center of the U-shape) of the LTS 110 and RTS 115, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, the rails 140, 145 extend across the length of the LTS 110 and RTS 115, respectively, until reaching the bending zones 120, 125, respectively. It should be noted that the rails 140, 145 extending the length of the LTS 110 and RTS 115, respectively, is only exemplary. Those skilled in the art will understand that the length of the rails 140, 145 need only be long enough to guarantee that the mobile terminal only moves in a single plane parallel to the longitudinal axes of the rails 140, 145 (i.e., no rotation).

In the exemplary embodiment, because the rails 140, 145 slide into the channels 235, 240, respectively, the rails 140, 145 are manufactured using a rigid plastic with a low coefficient of friction. As discussed above, the rails 140, 145 may also include a part of the U-shape sheet metal. Thus, the rigid plastic would be the plastic molding on the sheet metal. However, it should be noted that the rails may be manufactured with rubber or another material with a high coefficient of friction. Such a design may provide a failsafe to prevent the mobile terminal from accidentally sliding out upon the tab 130 being inadvertently depressed. The rails may be designed with a mechanical failsafe. For example, the rails 140, 145 may include a groove that fits over a projection on the channels 235, 240, respectively. Then, a user may physically remove the mobile terminal using a sufficient force to overcome the holder force of the projection.

The APs 150, 155 are the locations where the release lever 100 attaches to the wearable accessory, for example, using a mechanical connector. In the exemplary embodiment, the APs 150, 155 are vias through which screws may be placed to semi-permanently couple the release lever 100 to the wearable accessory. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the APs 150, 155 may be, for example, snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, etc. For example, instead of the vias shown in the exemplary embodiment, the APs 150, 155 may be buttons that are attached to the bottom side of the release lever 100. These buttons may then be snapped into corresponding buttons on the wearable accessory. Thus, those skilled in the art will understand that the APs 150, 155 may be any mechanism for coupling the release lever 100 to the wearable accessory.

The bending zones 120, 125 are located at the ends of the LTS 110 and the RTS 115, respectively. The bending zones 120, 125 are the area of the release lever 100 that allow the tab 130 to be pushed. As will be discussed in further detail below with reference to FIG. 3, the bending zones 120, 125 allow the release lever 100 to flex when the tab 130 is pushed. When a user presses the tab 130 in a downward direction (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tab 130), the bending zones 120, 125 will flex in the same direction thereby moving the MS 105 in the same direction. This downward motion of the MS 105 will disengage the male couplers 135 from the corresponding female couplers (e.g., on the mobile terminal), thereby disengaging the mobile terminal from the release lever 100 and the wearable accessory.

The following will describe the exemplary embodiment of the frame 200 in greater detail. As discussed above, the channels 235, 240 of the frame 200 are the counterparts to the rails 140, 145, respectively. It should be noted that the frame 200 may be manufactured using a similar method as the release lever 100. For example, the frame 200 may include a sheet metal with plastic molding. Those skilled in the art will understand that using the sheet metal with plastic molding allows the frame 200 to slightly bend and not stay completely rigid. If rigid, the frame 200 is prone to breakage when a sufficient force is applied.

In the exemplary embodiment, the channels 235, 240 are manufactured using the composition of the release lever 100 (i.e., metal molded with plastic). In another exemplary embodiment, the channels 235, 240 may not contain the metal and be manufactured using a rigid plastic. The channels 235, 240 are received by the rails 140, 145, respectively, when the combination of the frame 200 and the mobile terminal are engaged by the release lever 100. Those skilled in the art will understand that the length of the channels 235, 240 may be independent from the length of the rails 140, 145. For example, the lengths of the channels 235, 240 may be longer, the same length, or shorter than the rails 140, 145. The channels 235, 240 provide a stabilizing effect for the mobile terminal when the components of the retention mechanism are united. As discussed above, the stabilizing effect is dependent on the length of the rails 140, 145.

The CPs 225, 230 are the locations of the connectors where the frame 200 attaches to the mobile terminal, for example, using a mechanical connector. Similar to the APs 150, 155 described above, the CPs 225, 230 may be, for example, vias through which screws may be placed to semi-permanently couple the frame 200 to the mobile terminal. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the CPs 225, 230 may be, for example, snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, screw holes, etc. In the exemplary embodiment, the CPs 225 are located on the side 205. According to the exemplary embodiment, the CPs 225 are not placed at the edges of the side 205 (i.e., corner of side 205 with sides 210, 215) because those corners represent the entry point for the rails 140, 145. However, the CPs 230 are located on the corners of the frame 200, where sides 210, 215 join side 220. It should be noted that these locations are only exemplary and that other locations are possible for the CPs 225, 230. For example, if the mobile terminal is smaller than the frame 200, the CPs 225, 230 may be in closer proximity to each other towards the middle of the sides 205, 220.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a bottom side of the retention mechanism of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the opposite side of the components described above for FIG. 1. It should be noted that the bottom side of the MS 105 of the release lever 100 may opposite sides of the male couplers 135. For example, the male couplers 135 may extend through the MS 105 and be held using a complimentary component that holds the male couplers 135.

It should be noted that the retention mechanism according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention does not contain any sharp corners (i.e., all corners are rounded). Those skilled in the art will understand that the sliding function of the retention mechanism works more efficiently with rounded surfaces. However, it should be noted that sharper corners may also be used, for example, if the retention mechanism is required to be stationary when assembled (i.e., the release lever 100 and the frame 200 united).

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the retention mechanism of FIGS. 1 and 2. The cross sectional view of FIG. 3 is of the release lever 100, taken across the LTS 110, the bending zone 120, and the MS 105. It should be noted that the following description also describes the bending zone 125. As discussed above, since the bending zone 120 is part of the release lever 100, the bending zone 120 is manufactured using a flexible, durable metal sheet 305. The sheet 305 may be, for example, sheet metal. In the exemplary embodiment, the sheet 305 is used to provide a bending flexibility. Those skilled in the art will understand that the thickness of the sheet 305 depends on the length of the male couplers 135, the amount of flexibility of the release lever 100, necessary amount of bending of the bending zones 120, 125, type of metal, etc. For example, if the release lever 100 is designed to be loose, a thinner sheet 305 is used.

In the exemplary embodiment, the bending zone 120 is manufactured using rubber. As discussed above, some areas of the sheet 305 is molded with rubber. The bending zone 120 is molded on the sheet 305 between the MS 105 and the LTS 110. In the exemplary embodiment, a portion of the MS 105 and the LTS 110 that is in contact with the bending zone 120 extend partially the length of the bending zone 120. The size of the contacting portions of the MS 105 and the LTS 110 may depend on molding requirements. The flexibility of the bending zone 120 (via the rubber portion and sheet 305) provides the user an ability to push the release lever tab 130 to release the mobile terminal from the retention mechanism. Those skilled in the art will understand that the use of the bending zone 120 on both sides of the sheet 305 allows for a user to bend the tab 130 in both directions. Such a use may be, for example, to push the tab 130 in the opposite direction of the release direction to ensure that the male couplers 135 are fully inserted into the counterpart female couplers.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary coupling of the release lever 100 of the retention mechanism of FIG. 1 attached to a wearable accessory 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As discussed above, the release lever 100 is the component of the retention mechanism that attaches to the wearable accessory 300. In the exemplary embodiment, the wearable accessory 300 is a device used to aid in attaching the mobile terminal to a limb of a user, particularly the wrist. The release lever 100 is attached to the wearable accessory 300 using the APs 150, 155. As discussed above, in the exemplary embodiment, rivets are placed through the APs 150, 155 to attach the release lever 100 to the wearable accessory 300. The wearable accessory 300 may include counterparts (not shown) to the APs 150, 155 so that the release lever 100 may attach to the wearable accessory 300. In the exemplary embodiment, the placement of the release lever 100 extends beyond the surface of the top of the wearable accessory 300. This extension allows the tab 130 to be depressed without interference from the wearable accessory 300. The release lever 100 may be permanently affixed to the wearable accessory 300 (e.g., via the rivets). Those skilled in the art will understand that the permanent affixing is only exemplary and that temporary attachments (e.g., via hook and loop fasteners) are also possible. Such an embodiment may be useful, for example, if the retention mechanism is intended to be used on several surfaces. It should be noted that the use of the wearable accessory 300 is exemplary only and that the retention mechanism may attach to other units, for example, a belt mount.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary use of the retention mechanism of FIG. 1 where the frame 200 is attached to a mobile terminal 400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As discussed above, the frame 200 is the unit that attaches to the mobile terminal 400. The frame 200 attaches to the mobile terminal 400 using the CPs 225, 230. In the exemplary embodiment, the frame 200 is semi-permanently attached to the mobile terminal 400 using screws. It should be noted that the frame 200 may be temporarily attached to the mobile terminal 400 using the above described methods such as hook and loop fasteners. The attachment of the frame 200 with the mobile terminal 400 allows the channels 235, 240 to engage the rails 140, 145 of the release lever 100. Those skilled in the art will understand that the release lever 100 is stationary while the mobile terminal 400 with the frame 200 is mobile (i.e., the component that is attached and/or removed). Thus, the mobile terminal 400 with the frame 200 is the component that slides into the rails 140, 145. FIG. 5 shows an arrow 500 that depicts the direction the mobile terminal 400 with the frame 200 slides into the rails 140, 145. Once the mobile terminal 400 with the frame 200 is assembled with the release lever 100, the male couplers 135 are in a position to slide into the female couplers 405 provided on the mobile terminal 400. As discussed above, the female couplers 405 are reception ports (e.g., holes) to receive the male couplers 135. The size of the female couplers 405 will depend on the size of the male couplers 135.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary assembly of the retention mechanism with the mobile terminal 400 of FIG. 5. The assembled unit shows the male couplers 135 completely inserted into the female couplers 405. Thus, if a user wishes to remove the mobile terminal 400 with the frame 200 from the release lever 100, the user depresses the tab 130 to remove the male couplers 135 from the female couplers 405. Once removed, the user may slide out the mobile terminal 400 with the affixed frame 200 from the release lever 100.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A retention mechanism for a mobile terminal, comprising: a frame configured to receive the mobile terminal, the frame including channels; and a release lever configured to receive a wearable accessory, the release lever including rails, wherein the frame is one of releasably and permanently coupled to the release lever by inserting the channels of the frame in the rails of the release lever.
 2. The retention mechanism of claim 1, wherein the release lever further includes a first coupler and when the frame is one of releasably and permanently coupled to the release lever, the first coupler engages a corresponding second coupler.
 3. The retention mechanism of claim 2, wherein the second coupler is included on one of the frame and the mobile terminal.
 4. The retention mechanism of claim 2, wherein the first coupler is a male coupler.
 5. The retention mechanism of claim 2, wherein the release lever further includes a bending zone allowing the release lever to bend thereby releasing the first coupler from the second coupler.
 6. The retention mechanism of claim 2, wherein the release lever further comprises a release tab that is depressed to release the first coupler from the second coupler.
 7. The retention mechanism of claim 1, wherein the release lever is configured to one of releasably and permanently receive the wearable accessory.
 8. The retention mechanism of claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to one of releasably and permanently receive the mobile terminal.
 9. The retention mechanism of claim 1, wherein the frame and the release lever are manufactured using a sheet metal with plastic molding.
 10. A retention mechanism for a mobile terminal, comprising: a frame configured to receive the mobile terminal; a first and second channel located on a first and second side of the frame; a release lever configured to receive a wearable accessory; a tab located on a side of the release lever; a coupler located on a top side of the release lever that locks the mobile terminal to the wearable accessory; and a first and second rail connected to the release lever via connectors, the first and second rail located on a first and second side of the release lever that is substantially parallel to the first and second side of the frame, wherein the frame is one of releasably and permanently coupled to the release lever by inserting the first and second channel of the frame in the first and second rail of the release lever.
 11. The retention mechanism of claim 10, wherein a corresponding coupler is located on one of the frame and the mobile terminal.
 12. The retention mechanism of claim 10, wherein the coupler is a male coupler.
 13. The retention mechanism of claim 11, wherein the release lever further includes a bending zone allowing the release lever to bend thereby releasing the coupler from the corresponding coupler.
 14. The retention mechanism of claim 10, wherein the frame, channels, release lever, tab, and rails are manufactured using a sheet metal with plastic molding.
 15. The retention mechanism of claim 10, wherein the release lever is configured to one of releasably and permanently receive the wearable accessory.
 16. The retention mechanism of claim 10, wherein the frame is configured to one of releasably and permanently receive the mobile terminal.
 17. A retention mechanism for a mobile terminal, comprising: a frame configured to receive the mobile terminal, the frame including channels; a release lever configured to receive a wearable accessory, the release lever including rails; and a coupling means to couple the frame and the release lever when the channels of the frame are inserted into the rails of the release lever.
 18. The retention mechanism of claim 17, wherein the coupling means comprises a first coupler located on the release lever and a second coupler located on one of the frame and the mobile terminal.
 19. The retention mechanism of claim 18, wherein the first coupler is a male coupler.
 20. The retention mechanism of claim 18, wherein the frame and the release lever are manufactured using a sheet metal with plastic molding. 